SangyawMindanao

The Elusive Peace in Mindanao Janet An Braza At early dawn of Friday, August 15, 2008, it was learned that the residents in Lapayan, Lanao del Norte (LDN) requested for a military support for they were threatened during their previous harvests of their crops particularly coconuts and Gimelina trees in Upper Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte. This threat was already a problem even during the time of former Mayor Jack Maruhom. Non-Muslim crop owners and peasants were not in good terms with the Muslim landowners of the place specifically regarding to the transactions sharing of their harvests. On Saturday, August 16, Aldrin Tan, a rich crop owner in Lapayan, had earned Php500, 000, more or less, from copra sales. In the evening of that day, he had some Maranao visitors in his home who were asking money from him. Whether he gave money to his visitors, she did not know, said his house helper, whom I had interviewed during the evacuation. On the eve of August 17, the Muslim neighborhood in Lapayan ...

The MILF determination is to continue their struggle to fight for the independence of their homeland. The peace process is a major policy concern that requires a clear reaffirmation of the mandate bestowed to the MILF and peace panel to negotiate peace with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) panel. This mandate was first bestowed in 1997 before the MILF started to negotiate with the GRP, and was renewed resoundingly when the MILF held a General Consultation Assembly in Darapatan, Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan on May 29-31, 2005. In this General Committee meeting, they discussed the need to consolidate the MILF and to unite the people into one nation. ”There is no substitute for a good and solid organization. More often, men are disunited in time of plenty rather than in time of war. They have proven these examples both in the past and contemporary times,” Chairman Murad disclosed. Briefly, as we try to browse the pages of their struggle, on March 18, 1935 a l...

Un-accustoming PERT By Pierre Danser Pappilon Mr. Rudy Rodil of the Philippines, who is a historian of this country, made few steps to reconcile the Filipino people through his writings of what he understood of the past. Through this endeavor where he saw fit-he was engaged with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) peace process on Memorandum on Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA AD). Rodil’s struggles for this endeavor have soon aroused the leaders of Iligan City when the MOA AD was about to be signed on September 5, 2008. The City Resolution No. 08-563, dated September 15, 2008 is a statement telling they found him a persona-non-grata--a resident and a professor t in one of the prestigious institutions of this city at that. But because of his works and being an exemplary professor of the country, Rodil was given a Plaque of Recognition, an Honorary Tribute by the City of Iligan honoring him as a “Buotang Iliganon” (Good Citizen o...

The lawless MILF groups (LMGs) shifted from semi-conventional warfare to guerilla tactics as suggested by its ally in the CPP/NPA/NDF. This change only shows the weaknesses of the LMGs and confirms the reduction of its strength and capabilities as a result of the AFP law-enforcement operations. They could not sustain a prolonged engagement because they are running low in terms of resources. The use of guerilla tactics, however, endanger the lives of non-combatants because, in order to survive, guerillas, in many instances immerse themselves with civilians to avoid detection and elude arrest ,and in worst cases, as human shield to prevent annihilation.(CCCH)

Mindanao Kagahapon, Karon ug Ugma Pastor Reu B. Montecillo I Sa unang panahon among nailhan Ang yutang Mindanao dapit sa kalambuan Yuta sa saad yuta sa kauswagan Lumad, Moro, Kristiano kini nahimong pinuy-anan. II Pakigdait, pagsinabtanay, pagtinabangay nasaksihan Sa among katigulangan ilang natagamtaman Alang kanamo nga ilang kabataan Kalinaw maoy kabilin nga ilang ikatugyan. III Tuig syetenta kadulom Mindanao imong nahiaguman Kamatay, gubat kalisod imong nasaksihan Mga ginikanan moingon managan ‘ta kabataan Tungod sa gubat nga nahiaguman nga dili ko masabtan. IV Tungod niini Mindanao ikaw nabiyaan Katambok sa imong yuta amo nga napasagdan Kayugot sa among dughan maoy giamomahan Maoy hinungdan sa gyera nga walay kapuslanan. V Tuig Dos mil kami usab nahimong ginikanan Guyog sa among mga anak kami na usab nanagan Ang among kabataan nangutana unsa ang hinungdan Sa kagubot nga nahiaguman nga dili gayud masabtan. VI Mindanao karon amo nang nakit-an Ang Gugma sa Dios o ni Allah isulod sa am...